Dolik takes women’s title
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Even an auto accident couldn’t prevent tennis stalwart Greg Maloomian from defending his AYF crown.
There he was, en route to Philly, cruising along the New Jersey Turnpike, when all of a sudden he gets rear-ended by another car.
On come the state police and tow truck, ready to haul away his wreck. He gets towed to an off-ramp when he gets some good news. The bumper’s gone, his trunk smashed in, other parts strewn about, but the vehicle is drive-able.
To heck with the car, he thought, as long as I make it to Philly and play my matches.
Greg Maloomian did not want to let his chapter down.
He arrived at the hotel and went to retrieve his equipment. More problems. The trunk was so badly pushed in, he couldn’t get his racquet.
On comes hotel security with a crowbar and they pry the trunk open, much to Maloomian’s relief.
“Anything to get five points for my chapter,” he said, forcing a smile. “It could’ve been worse. No one was hurt. Dealing with the police was the most difficult part.”
Not that there was any doubt Maloomian would see his title disappear. For the second straight year, he had yet to surrender a game, blanking both New Jersey’s Matt Tarzian in the semis, 6-0, 6-0, and Providence teammate Sevan Donoian, 6-0, 6-0.
Could Maloomian be the best ever at these AYF games? He’s certainly making a case for himself with his riveting serve and screaming forehand.
What’s more, it was a far cry from when he was in pinpoint tennis condition as the Number 1 player for Bentley College all four years. Now that he’s working as a public accountant in Boston, other priorities have intervened, least of all tennis.
Maloomian was finishing off his points with uncanny consistency, playing only as hard as he wanted. An ankle brace was being worn to protect a previous injury.
“Matt Tarzian’s a good player,” he said, praising the 16-year-old upstart. “He’s only been at it a year and to see him at this level is pretty remarkable. He’ll be more improved next year.”
With another year remaining, Maloomian would like to three-peat in Chicago. If anyone had an inspiration upon the 25-year-old, it was fellow Armenian Andre Agassi. A close second would be Sargis Sargsian.
“Andre had a rough patch in his career and dropped out of the pro tour,” said Maloomian. “He worked very hard to get back winning grand slams at such an advanced age in his career.”
In all, seven men took to the nets in what proved a small field this year. Other players were Phil Nigon (Philly), Armen Saryan (Racine) and Gevork Dramgotchian (Philly), each of whom got eliminated in the opening round.
Women’s Division
Numbers didn’t play well here, either, as only five took part. Short on players but long on matchers.
Both semi-finals were marathon-style finishes, going three hours with a lot of give-and-take. In the end, it was Stephanie Dolik who withstood the flurry after two encounters.
Her first match was up against newcomer Olivia Barberian of North Andover who had already won her opener. The first set ended up 7-5 (7-3) in Barberian’s favor — against the Number 1 seed.
But back came Dolik and the Detroit champion prevailed in the next two sets, 6-1, 6-2, to reach the final.
Meanwhile, Anoush Arakelian (Greater Boston) and Ani Megerdichian (Providence) were on an adjoining court going through their endurance test.
That one finally ended in Anoush’s favor, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 (7-6), setting the stage for this showdown.
Dolik refused to yield, punching out a straight 6-2 victory over her counterpart.
So long was the afternoon that it was agreed to forego the consolation and give a bronze medal to Barberian and Megerdichian. Also competing was Philly’s Michelle Miller.
There’s another twist to this story. Ani happened to be Olivia’s counselor this summer at Camp Hayastan—and Mal Varadian’s granddaughter, an Olympic King from Providence!
What’s more, her first medal couldn’t have been a more perfect birthday gift for Olivia.
***
Women’s semi-finals
Stephanie Dolik (Detroit) over Olivia Barberian (Merrimack Valley), 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
Anoush Arakelian (Greater Boston) over Ani Megerdichian (Providence), 6-2, 3-6, 7-5
Women’s final
Dolik over Arakelian, 6-2, 6-2
Men’s semi-finals
Greg Maloomian (Providence) over Sevan Donoian (Providence), 6-0, 6-0
Matt Tarzian (New Jersey) over Kyle Byrd (Providence), 6-1, 6-1
Men’s final
Maloomian over Tarzian, 6-0, 6-0
Tom Vartabedian
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